Okami: A Swan Track Most Worthy of Clover’s Title

Created in a time when venerable developer Clover Studio was on its final legs, Okami is a sport which naturally burdens itself with numerous expectations. Not solely does it come after a line of well-loved Viewtiful Joe installments from the identical developer, however an uncanny resemblance to different latest action-adventure video games additionally raises the stakes for the standard which is to be anticipated from this sport. Fortunately, although, Okami not solely meets these requirements, however typically far exceeds them. The sport will not be overly modern, however thanks its technique of following and executing style logos extraordinarily nicely, Okami seems to be Clover Studio’s most strong title to this point. Moreover, its extremely stylized visuals, stunning soundtrack, and extremely well-written localization present that it not solely stands nicely towards related video games, it is among the many greatest lately. Make no mistake: Okami could superficially seem like like many different video games. However at its core is a really, very totally different beast.

Okami is without doubt one of the few video games to hit western shores which is totally steeped in Japanese mythology. Few moments ever go all through all the sport that remind one which it’s certainly of Asian origin. Whereas this could usually be an obstacle for the common gamer who is not versed in such tales, Okami does an excellent job at ensuring everyone seems to be on the identical web page all through all the story. Characters and plot sequences all the time obtain their due rationalization, permitting the unenlightened to catch up very simply. On prime of that, the mythology is launched solely in bite-sized items. This allows gamers to develop into accustomed to what they know over time to allow them to then transfer onto different sides of the mythology extra simply and, by the top, really feel totally immersed on the earth which Okami has created.

The approach is launched from the get-go. The start of the sport begins off primary sufficient. 100 years previous to the sport’s starting, Amaterasu, the Japanese solar god, as a wolf, defeated an eight-headed snake named Orochi (with some assist) with a view to free Kamiki Village from the duty of yearly sacrificing a maiden. Consequentially, although, Amaterasu died within the course of and a memorial was arrange in her place contained in the village. Nevertheless, when a bloke inadvertently lets Orochi free once more, Amaterasu is subsequently reincarnated to as soon as once more do the work she carried out a century in the past.

There may be, nonetheless, a serious distinction between the previous wolf and the brand new one: The latter lacks particular powers she had when preventing Orochi. These powers kind the basic basis for what helps to outline Okami’s gameplay. As an alternative of being typical godly powers a la superheroes and the like, these powers are activated by means of the usage of a brush. When used appropriately, this brush can carry out quite a lot of issues that no mortal may ever dream of doing, at the least simply. Amaterasu, although, has misplaced just about all of those powers and should seek for them once more along with her Orochi-related duties.

The sport is sort, although, and relents the primary few powers early on. Issues resembling restoring damaged or misplaced issues and slashing are quickly accessible at first of the sport. Over time, Amaterasu acquires different talents to make use of in tandem along with her brush, resembling lightning strikes, wind gusts, and cherry bombs, amongst others. Every energy is well-used and has its personal functions each throughout occasions of exploration and fight, as they get utilized in very intelligent methods all through every portion. Activating these powers is extraordinarily straightforward, requiring solely the faucet of a button to carry up a canvas after which continuing to attract the specified image. Utilizing the comb takes up ink and solely a restricted quantity of it may be used for every drawing. Nevertheless, it does regenerate rapidly sufficient and normally runs out solely when the powers are used liberally in a given state of affairs.

The comb is not the one device at Amaterasu’s disposal, although. A number of several types of weapons, starting from blades to chains to shields (sure, shields) can be found. Every weapon within the sport can both be geared up as the primary weapon or because the sub-weapon, which has implications on the weapon’s talents in battle and differ vastly relying on how they’re assigned. As a result of the quantity of ink the sport grants gamers is proscribed, even after upgrades, one will likely be relying closely on these weapons throughout fight. The fight itself is what one would anticipate from a contemporary action-adventure sport, consisting of working as much as enemies, hitting them, blocking their reply, and repeating the method. Brush utilization however, the mechanics of Okami’s fight will likely be very acquainted to anybody who has performed related video games. With the comb, although, an additional spice is added and, oftentimes, utilizing the comb is a requirement when preventing towards sure enemies, as they’re weak to sure powers. These weaknesses can typically be discovered simply through the use of some logic after taking a look at their designs and it provides a really uncommon aspect of puzzles outdoors of the exploration side of such video games. There are different nuances to the fight, resembling merchandise assortment, however a lot of it non-compulsory and never experiencing them would not detract from enjoying the sport. Preventing is normally a reasonably straightforward affair within the sport, although. (It’s extremely doable for one to not even die as soon as all through all the sport.) However, as a comfort to those that could wish to keep away from doable tediousness, one can get out of many battles, though this has penalties of its personal.

The exploration a part of the sport can also be harking back to different action-adventure video games. Okami gives a really massive world to delve into and even the start areas the place gamers are confined to are huge and wealthy with secrets and techniques. Over time, different areas are unlocked, each being extra distinctive than the final. Earlier than the conclusion is reached, Okami reveals places as totally different as a quaint village and an underwater metropolis, in addition to many different imaginative locations in-between. The sport additionally has its share of dungeons. Nevertheless, not like video games resembling The Legend of Zelda, dungeon crawling is barely a comparatively occasional affair, exhibiting up simply typically sufficient to indicate that it is there with out being overdone. Even amidst such scant showings, although, the dungeons are simply as excellently designed as the entire different areas within the sport. Each has its personal very distinct theme which frequently defy the stereotypes generally seen in different video games. The puzzles, even with their low problem, are very artistic and slot in nicely with its respective setting. Not one appears unnatural in its setting, permitting the dungeons to be distinct whereas nonetheless feeling part of Okami’s world.

Whereas the fight and exploration elements of it could be by-product of video games which have come earlier than it, few video games implement each so nicely. The mechanics driving every are so strong that the thought of fixing what is not damaged is one thing which truly works to Okami’s benefit. It would not toy with the action-adventure method of right now, however as a substitute makes use of it as a really regular basis and it does a wonderful job at doing so. This is without doubt one of the few video games which does not want innovation to be really fulfilling, because the familiarity is so finely executed that it raises the usual for which different video games sooner or later ought to comply with ought to they select the same path. Okami is that fulfilling; it makes one neglect that it would not innovate the gameplay in its personal style.

This isn’t to say that Okami would not pioneer areas in gaming apart from gameplay. Visually, the sport is without doubt one of the most artistically placing video games this previous technology. It embraces its Japanese background in each conceivable method. That is most simply seen within the sport’s employment of cel-shading, which evokes a method generally seen in previous Japanese work. Every mannequin and texture is printed in a thick black, with colourful palettes as well. Completely every little thing receives its due inventive therapy, permitting the truth to immerse anybody in its mythological setting with ease. Okami additionally occurs to be one of many PS2’s most stunning video games to this point. The truth is, it is virtually even too sizzling to deal with for the system. The graphics push the system virtually close to breaking level and, in a single space, that is clearly seen in a really slight body fee drop. However past that, the system handles the sport like a appeal, granting a straightforward ticket to a world of eye sweet.

The sounds and music of the sport are additionally achieved with an equal caliber. The previous does its greatest to ensure every little thing sounds the best way it ought to, whereas imposing its personal aptitude on the similar time. Dialog, whereas textual content primarily based, has every character vocalizing their strains in a singular jargon, very like Animal Crossing’s animalese. However not like Nintendo’s sport, Okami makes use of this speech to assist make every character distinctive with out ever saying an precise phrase. One may even choose up imitations of issues resembling French accents by means of this use of quasi-speech. As for the latter, Okami’s music makes use of a full orchestra and totally every little thing is finished on this method. Even tiny ditties garner such high quality. The lengthier musical items are the place the prime quality actually shines above all, although. Theme songs, background music, and the like all have glorious compositions on par with even the most effective in different leisure industries. Lots of the main items are additionally used sparingly, too, stopping the music from ever rising repetitive. However, like Okami’s graphics, what its music actually does greatest at is embracing its Japanese background. Japan-centric devices are sometimes key gamers within the sport’s music and are used to their full potential. It really works simply as onerous as the entire different basic items of the sport to determine this myth-centric world and it most actually succeeds in that goal.

Okami additionally has mastery over one thing a lot much less emphasised in most video games: localization. Few video games that obtain a translation right now get one which fits above and past doing the simple. That is arguably what’s most memorable about Okami. Each line of textual content, each speech, and each description has a stage of polish which reveals that point, effort, and love went into making the sport accessible and interesting to non-Japanese audiences. In addition to merely making the mythology comprehensible to the uninitiated, the localization defines one’s experiences with Okami’s denizens. Each single character, from the foremost to the very modest (together with unnamed ones), receives their very own phrase type and really feel very developed. Specifically, Issun, a personality who tags together with Amaterasu on her quest for a lot of the sport, is one who reveals how useful a radical localization will be for gamers. His speech overflows along with his effervescent, vivacious persona that by no means fails to entertain all through the 30-plus-hour-long journey. Touches like giving life to the characters is why Okami’s localization is one thing which must be lauded as a lot as its extra exterior traits resembling graphics and sound. It is simply that glorious.

Okami is an great swan track for Clover. It takes every little thing which an action-adventure sport must be and executes it superbly. Mix that with virtually near-perfect high quality in graphics, sounds, music, and localization and you’ve got a sport which must be skilled to be absolutely appreciated. Do not be slowed down by its mythological background or its lack of considerable innovation. For each minor problem which Okami has, it greater than makes up for the flaw elsewhere in spades. This a sport which really does have one thing for everybody to take pleasure in. Merely put, Okami reveals how far gaming can go not solely artistically, but in addition by way of enjoyable. You probably have a PS2 and even the slightest inkling to expertise one thing very unfamiliar in seeming acquainted territory, then Okami is most actually going to be your cup of tea, and an excellent one at that.